Interesting discussion on my wall about it:

Renee: wow gisele, what a way to get millions of mothers offside. yes, breastmilk is by far the best thing for an infant, but many mothers cannot do it. simple as that. enforcing a law that babies should only be given thier mothers breastmilk, will lead to babies not being sufficiently nourished, if a mother doesn't have the supply, or the ability to breastfed. smug cow.

Kay: Love Gisele!!! Renee, have you not heard of breastmilk banks, or the fact that the WHO recommends expressed milk, then donated milk prior to resorting to using formula? In truth, almost all mothers are physically capable of breastfeeding, they just aren't supported to. Three cheers for Gisele speaking out!
about an hour ago · Unlike · 1 person ·

BellyBelly Kelly: Renee, I think she'd (as well as lots of us) would like to see women get the appropriate support and care, so that more women are breastfeeding. Only something like 1% of women cannot physically breastfeed due to insufficient glandular tissue (I think it's called something like that), then of course you have women who are sexual abuse survivors / psychological issues. By making formula so accessible, women often self diagnose or do a quick run to the chemist as they are frustrated, tired, in pain, unsupported. If things were in place to prevent this happening, then more women would be breastfeeding. But I would say it's a heck of alot more than 1% of women who say they can't breastfeed, when many. many of them have preventable problems. They are just let down in so many ways, medical professionals, the way they are cared for at birth, the tpes of births they have, bad information from MCHN's and the lack of self education.... It is possible that a huge percent of those who can't feed, would be diminished... but less and less women are breastfeeding. I think I read somewhere yesterday that something as little as 1% of mothers in the UK are still breastfeeding at 6 months of age. Something needs to be done, but what??? Any information we send out there about it, we get attacked... we need to attack the problem and not people.
about an hour ago · Like · 3 people ·

Jessica: I agree with Kay. If babies had access to breastmilk in the first 6 months of life it would save millions of dollars in health care later on. Its time to move on from the guilt inducing stuff and start looking at the facts. If you can't breastfeed your child then wouldn't it be awesome if you could still feed them breastmilk??
about an hour ago · Unlike · 3 people ·

Renee: i agreed that it is best to breastfeed, i was a breastfeeder. i'm just saying that it isn't something that should be allowed to be a law. aren't we at the moment, arguing the right to not have vaccinations be mandatory as it goes against freedom of choice? we can't just say it should be a law if we agree with it, you have to look at it from all sides.
about an hour ago · Like ·

BellyBelly Kelly: Just an aside - not an attack on formula so don't get me wrong - It still spins me out that people think donor breastmilk is so gross yet will happily give their babies (and themselves) milk from a cow, an animal living outdoors. Made for cow babies... cows who are ruminant - have 4 stomachs and can digest it, yet humans seem to have an increasing number of problems with it...
about an hour ago · Like · 1 person ·

BellyBelly Kelly: I don't think it should be law - but perhaps be able to go to ideally an LC or GP (less ideal as they have no training but formula sales reps would be all over them) to talk through the problem and try and filter through and help women.
about an hour ago · Like ·

Renee: also, in her interview, it says nothing about donated breastmilk, it says mothers should breastfeed their children.
about an hour ago · Like ·

BellyBelly Kelly: oops and then be able to access formula from them.
about an hour ago · Like ·

Kay: Renee I'm not entirely sure I agree with the point of view of removing genuine choice via legislation. However, the proposition and having a celebrity speak out in favour of preserving breastfeeding is terrific.
about an hour ago · Unlike · 3 people ·

Renee: absolutely, i'm all for breastfeeding becoming more commonplace and socially accepted. i'm just saying, it's not something that can legislated.
about an hour ago · Like ·

Jen: it is not best to breastfeed, it is normal. If artifical milk for babies was prescribed, the government would get it's finger out of it's ass and start to actually work giving support to new mothers to help them. Women that have babies are turfed out of the door of hospies, often before their milk even comes in and when they are often trying to deal with having just given birth. We are seen as second class citizens.
about an hour ago · Like ·

Sarah: it's nice to see a celeb who is pro-breastfeeding & it does something to balance out kim kardashian's twitter drivel recently. however, i don't like the idea of making something the law. i agree with kelly that better access to LCs (or supportive GPs) could be a good thing - perhaps financial assistance or similar for those wanting to hire an LC (or is it already a medicare rebate? i haven't actually checked!). the support in hospital can be hit & miss & i didn't think it was the best environment for someone with their breastfeeding L plates on & someone to help you in your own home would be far more beneficial & less intimidating.
about an hour ago · Like · 1 person ·

Renee: i know my LC was rebated through medicare, and i'm pretty sure mbf cover some costs too.
about an hour ago · Like ·

BellyBelly Kelly: Yup breastfeeding is NOT best. Did you see my article? https://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums...-not-best.html
about an hour ago · Like ·

Talia: It should be prescription only, simple as that. Not only so women seek help first, but also so that women realize it is such an abnormal thing to feed a baby, not an equal choice.
about an hour ago · Unlike · 3 people ·

Talia: I've donated about 4 litres of milk so far - to two babies who would otherwise have needed formula topups. This was because our midwife told them this was possible, and arranged picking it up. For women without an independent mw (or similar) they just don't know this is possible, so end up with formula.
about an hour ago · Like ·

Lisa: I had my daughter go on a nursing strike at 4 months old. She simply refused to take the breast, and was screaming hungry for several days on end while I tried to persist, even trying pumping and giving it to her in a bottle she would not drink it. How would I get a prescription for that, exactly? Would I have to demonstrate my child didn't want to feed, prove she was hungry, etc? Like I wasn't stressed and doubting myself enough? Or what about the mothers who have to go back to work and have trouble expressing enough? Do they need to prove their right to a prescription too? Should the GP watch them pump and decide whether they're pumping enough? And what about the mothers who just don't think breastfeeding works for them. They've tried it and don't feel comfortable with it, for whatever personal reason. Is it better to have a stressed out, uncomfortable, breastfeeding mother, or a happy one who uses formula? I'm totally pro-breastfeeding, think women need more support, but think the idea of legislating something like that is just beyond ridiculous. At the end of the day its a woman's choice whether she wants to breastfeed her child, or start solids at 4 months instead of 6, or whatever. Next you'll be saying a woman needs to sign an intention of breastfeeding before she's allowed to conceive.
35 minutes ago · Like ·

Rebecca: While i am an avid supporter of breast feeding a lot of work needs to be done before formula can go a lot of education and support is needed and a lot of preparation for breast milk banks too. there would be supply and demand issues unless women put themselves out to pasture. I have personally known many women who have experienced great difficulty in feeding their babies and have suffered emotionally due to feeling inadequate. So I support breast feeding but certainly would never condone making a mother who formula fed feel bad about their decision I don't know the reason for their choice and there is usually a more to it than being lazy because bottle feeding is way more time consuming
33 minutes ago · Like ·

Rebecca: Big clap to you talia I would donate but we don't have a system established near me and I'm not sure when I would squeeze it in around my little guts at the moment but I applaud you
28 minutes ago · Like ·

BellyBelly Kelly: I don't think this will ever become legislation. But apart from that she has good intentions. Its hard being 're-born' into birth issues - experiencing life changing births or breastfeeding relationships - you just want to tell the world what you've learnt, what is contrary to common belief - you want to change the status quo. Especially when you start out, you get gung ho, I know I was... then you balance it out a bit more as you learn and grow more. Sure it might not be the worlds best thought out plan... but she has a soul and heart in the right place and god knows we need more people like her. Give her time, don't attack her views... she'll be a great little advocate in time
24 minutes ago · Like ·